Head of Security Tools Operations

Group 1001 is a consumer-centric, technology-driven family of insurance companies on a mission to deliver outstanding value and operational performance by combining financial strength and stability with deep insurance expertise and a can-do culture. Group1001’s culture emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, core business focus, risk management, and striving for outcomes. This goal extends to how we hire and onboard our most valuable assets – our employees.

Group 1001, and its affiliated companies, is strongly committed to providing a supportive work environment where employee differences are valued. Diversity is an essential ingredient in making Group 1001 a welcoming place to work and is fundamental in building a high-performance team. Diversity embodies all the differences that make us unique individuals.  All employees share the responsibility for maintaining a workplace culture of dignity, respect, understanding and appreciation of individual and group differences.

As the Head of Security Tooling, you will lead and grow a specialized team of engineers, including Firewall Engineers, Palo Alto Engineers, and ZScaler Engineers. You will be responsible for ensuring the team operates efficiently, while also being hands-on with security tooling and infrastructure. This role requires a balance of technical acumen and managerial expertise to maintain the security of Group 1001’s systems and networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of a small, high-performing team of security tooling engineers.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.
• Define team objectives, priorities, and key performance metrics in alignment with organizational goals.
• Act as a technical expert in the deployment, management, and optimization of firewall solutions, Palo Alto Networks, and ZScaler.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex security tooling issues, ensuring the reliability and performance of security systems.
• Drive the integration of new security tools and technologies to enhance the company’s security posture.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure security tooling aligns with broader IT and security strategies.
• Assess current security tooling to identify gaps and recommend improvements.
• Stay up-to-date on emerging security tools and trends to keep Group 1001 at the forefront of industry standards.
• Partner with the VP of Infrastructure to develop and implement a long-term vision for security tooling.

Technical Skills

• 8+ years of experience in security engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Palo Alto Networks, ZScaler Certified Professional, CISSP, CISM) are a plus.
• Proven experience with firewall technologies, particularly Palo Alto Networks.
• Deep understanding of ZScaler technologies, including deployment and optimization.
• Experience with PKI Administration and IAM Operations
• Expertise in managing security tooling within enterprise environments.
• Familiarity with security best practices, compliance requirements, and modern threat landscapes.
• Previous experience managing a technical team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills

Compensation:  

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $225,000/year in our lowest geographic market up to $250,000/year in our highest geographic market.  Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

Benefits Highlights:  

Employees who meet benefit eligibility guidelines and work 30 hours or more weekly, have the ability to enroll in Group 1001’s benefits package. Employees (and their families) are eligible to participate in the Company’s comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plan options.  Employe